Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder are often treated with medication and psychotherapy. But a research survey at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center is hoping to find out if spiritual therapy might be of interest as well.

Dr. Nagy Youssef, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at Augusta University who often treats PTSD, is conducting the survey through the VA in hopes it might show whether there is interest in exploring spirituality-based therapy. The research is being done in conjunction with the Durham VA and Duke University, he said.

Anywhere from 11-20 percent of those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have PTSD within a given year, compared to 12 percent who served during Desert Storm and 30 percent who served in the Vietnam War, according to the National Center for PTSD at the VA. Often patients are treated with medication, which can help reduce nightmares and flashbacks, and with psychotherapy to address the trauma. But about a third of those patients don’t respond to either approach, Youssef said. And those approaches do not address spirituality, he said.

“None of this addresses moral injury and inner conflict,” Youssef said. “Somebody goes to combat, seeing friends being killed and killing others. Spirituality can be affected. It might go against their moral beliefs. That’s hard to reconcile when they come back.”Working with a colleague at Duke who is an expert in spirituality in medicine, Youssef was part of a big group that helped to put together manuals on every major religion that might be incorporated into therapy. The survey will not only ask about PTSD symptoms but about what role if any spirituality plays in the life of that veteran and gauge the interest in having that therapy available, he said.

Youssef is hoping to get about 125 veterans to take the survey by March and has already recruited about 40 or so. The hope in the future would be for a randomized control trial to compare current psychotherapy approaches with one that incorporates the spiritual element, he said. The therapy, he said, would be voluntary and incorporate the patient’s own religion and religious texts.

“For a Christian, for instance, it would be including verses from the Bible about forgiveness and that will help to relieve inner tension,” Youssef said.It might help to address some of the problems with the current trauma-based therapy, he said. For instance, there is a high “drop rate” of patients who just don’t show up for it, Youssef said.

“People don’t come,” he said. “Perhaps they don’t think that addresses their beliefs. That’s what we are going to find out from that survey. If their beliefs are incorporated into the therapy, maybe they show up more for the psychotherapy.”There may also be things that spiritual therapy can offer them that other treatment methods cannot.​“Some patients have feelings that God will never forgive me, that I am going to Hell no matter what I do,” Youssef said. “That cannot be addressed by therapy or medication. That means bringing them evidence, from the Bible or the Torah, whatever their religion is, that there is forgiveness. There is always a second chance.”Reach Tom Corwin at (706) 823-3213or tom.corwin@augustachronicle.com

If you are still wondering what you can do to help those in need, please consider devoting your time, treasure or talents to help reduce the suicide rate among our nation’s veterans.

The media has documented the limits of the Veterans Affairs medical system to meet the needs of our wounded and sick veterans. President-elect Donald Trumphas made fixing the VA health care system a priority in his first 100 days.

But the growing suicide rate among our veterans remains a terrible problem. More veterans have taken their own lives since 2001 than have died in our most recent war.A friend and classmate of mine from West Point, Major General Dan York, founded an organization that is doing something about this disturbing trend. Dan is a tested leader, an author of eight books, a composer of seven albums and a captivating speaker.I will let him tell you about how you can help our veterans have a brighter tomorrow in 2017.

Major General York founds VetRestMajor General York: One day about four years ago, I received three separate emails in the span of two hours, each announcing in somber print that yet another American soldier had taken his own life. At the time, I was serving as Commanding General of the 104th Training Division, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Overwhelmed after receiving the third email, I laid my head on my desk and wept. That was the genesis of VetREST, a nonprofit organization I launched with the help of my wife, Kathleen, and several other ordinary Americans committed to making a great difference.

Our mission is to provide coaches who will help our nation’s veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) discover the cause of their PTS in order to facilitate healing in a supportive environment.

Nearly a year after receiving those three email suicide notifications, several of us on the VetREST team drove to Idaho to look for property for our retreat center. The first property we looked at belonged to a 70-plus year old owner in remote Benewah County, Idaho. When we explained the purpose of our visit, he softly professed that he, too, had PTS from his time as a fire chief in Las Vegas. “I cannot undo the tape [of a deadly hotel fire] that runs in my head every night,” he told us.

Days later, we looked at a home and acreage that overlooked beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene. I explained to the realtor what VetREST is all about and she began to cry. She shared with us that on Halloween night of the previous year, her brother, a veteran, had put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger, leaving behind a wife, a baby and an extended family overcome with unspeakable grief. At that moment, standing with the realtor looking out over the lake, and also thinking back to that former fire chief from a few days earlier, we realized how important it is to identify and embrace the 5 percent to 7 percent of Americans who suffer from PTS.

What can be done to reverse the trendStatistics reported by the Veterans Administration show that in 2014, an average of 20 veterans per day took their own lives. We ought to take a deep breath and ask ourselves, “why?” In many cases, the answer to that question is startlingly simple: Fear, moral injury (shame or guilt), trauma caused in the field (IEDs, battle wounds, etc.), or even early childhood abuse may be the underlying cause of a veteran’s PTS.Next we ought to examine what can be done to reverse this unacceptable trend? Our focus at VetREST is on the clear linkage between those suffering from PTS and suicides. If we can help Veterans suffering from PTS, we believe we can reduce the Veteran suicide rate.

While there are 45,000+ nonprofits committed to helping veterans, only a handful are — like us — committed to coming alongside our suffering soldiers, earning their trust and forming long-term friendships to help work through their PTS.Healing from PTS is not normally a neat, quick process. Each veteran’s PTS will vary in severity and complexity. For example, we know that a veteran who suffered trauma or abuse as a child is typically less resilient than a veteran with a safe upbringing.However, don’t believe it when someone says a person cannot be cured of PTS. Much can be done to reverse this problem. We owe it to our Veterans to stay committed to helping them find peace from their hidden battles.

VetREST hopes to expand nationwide To that end, VetREST is seeking to found chapters nationwide that are populated with coaches who are able, after gaining the trust of veterans, to find the why behind their PTS. Coaches then help the veterans put in place a four-fold path towards recovery: spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental. PTS does not have to be a hopeless condition.

As we approach New Year’s Day, please keep in mind those Veterans who may not have friends and family around for support. Consider supporting an organization like ours, VetRest, dedicated to helping Veterans on your behalf. Thank you for considering this message of hope, healing and health for our Veterans in need.Peter DeMarco is founder and president of Priority Thinking, an executive coaching, organizational consulting, strategy advisement, and ethics education company. He was named to the 2014 and 2015 Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trust by Trust Across America.

On the campaign trail, President-elect Donald Trump spoke a great deal about the challenges facing America’s 21 million veterans. Now, looking toward day one of his administration, he must place these challenges high on his priority list. Veterans need Trump to turn campaign promises into presidential action.The issues impacting veterans are significant. Many have health problems directly related to their military service. These range from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan and from complications related to amputation to living with a traumatic brain injury.Twenty percent of veterans who served since 9/11 are estimated to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among Vietnam veterans, 30 percent are estimated to have had PTSD at some point in their lives. Twenty veterans take their lives every day, most of whom never seek help from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

And despite numerous high-profile efforts promoting employment of veterans, many still find it difficult to secure meaningful employment upon leaving the military.As Trump builds his veterans agenda, here are five steps he can take in the first year of his administration that can change the lives of countless veterans and their families.First, work with Congress to strengthen and reform the VA healthcare system, where the greatest challenge facing veterans today is access to timely care. More than two years after the waiting list scandal broke, far too many veterans still cannot get a medical appointment when they need it.

Congress passed the Veterans Choice, Access, and Accountability Act of 2014 to create a short-term solution that would allow more veterans to get care in the community. But the program has no’t worked as hoped and it is set to expire next year.

The time is right for strong presidential leadership to transform the VA health care system. The major Veterans Service Organizations, the VA, bipartisan leaders in Congress and, most recently, the independent Commission on Care, have agreed on the best path forward: Create local, high-performing health care networks, led by the VA, that combine the best of the agency with the best of community care.

This will ensure veterans can access quality care, designed to meet the unique needs of veterans, and get an appointment when and where they need one.

Second, ensure that all veterans have access to timely and effective mental health services, especially for war veterans or veterans who have experienced trauma. Increase funding for VA mental health programs at hospitals, clinics and Vet Centers, for peer-to-peer programs, and for new, evidence-based treatments for PTSD and suicide-prevention efforts.

Third, Trump must use his influence and the power of the White House to educate employers about the value of hiring veterans, particularly those with disabilities. A recent survey by the Disabled American Veterans organization, Monster.com and Military.com reveals that 30 percent of employers worry about hiring veterans with PTSD.

Fourth, ensure that women veterans have equitable access to all of the benefits they have earned through their service. There are more women than ever serving in the military in all occupational specialties, as well as in combat.

Like their male counterparts, too many women who leave the military face the prospect of unemployment or homelessness and often wind up dealing with mental health issues or even contemplating suicide.

The President-elect must work with Congress to introduce and pass a comprehensive women veterans’ bill to ensure gender-specific medical care is available at all VA facilities. The legislation must ensure all benefits, programs and services are designed to be equally effective for women veterans.

Finally, Trump must work to ensure that caregivers of veterans from all generations receive benefits. For countless veterans, family caregivers are the unsung heroes that help them recover and become productive citizens.

It is shameful that while caregivers for veterans who served after 9/11 receive benefits, caregivers of veterans who served in earlier eras, such as World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, do not receive these same benefits. The President-elect can fix this in his first budget.

America has promised to stand by the men and women who wore the uniform, who sacrificed for our freedom. Trump must implement a strong veterans agenda and ensure we keep this promise.

Garry Augustine is a Vietnam-era, combat-wounded Army veteran and Executive Director of the Washington headquarters of Disabled American Veterans, an organization that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families, helping more than one million veterans in life-changing ways each year.

Veterans’ Day originated in 1919 as “Armistice Day,” a means for honoring veterans of “the war to end all wars” (World War I). As the twentieth century progressed, however, and it became clear that the United States’ position of leadership in the world would require greater military sacrifice, the scope was expanded to include veterans of all wars. There are many worthwhile traditions that have been established over the past 90+ years for honoring those on Veterans’ Day who have sacrificed so much for our common good.

But, this year, I believe, the situation demands more of our time and attention. The media has documented the limits of the Veterans Affairs medical system to meet the needs of our wounded and sick Veterans. And, a “Commander in Chief” forum with Veterans highlighted the growing cost of war and a growing suicide rate among our veterans. Could it be that more Veterans have taken their own life since 2001 than have died in our most recent war?

With that disturbing question in mind, please consider helping our most recent Veterans, especially those who served in combat, by sponsoring an organization focused on helping Veterans who are struggling to reintegrate into day-to-day life.

A friend and classmate of mine from West Point, Major General Dan York, founded an organization that does just that. Dan is a tested leader, an author of eight books, a composer of seven albums and a captivating speaker. I will let him tell you about an important issue facing our Veterans today, and how you can help.-------------------------------------------------Major General York: One day about four years ago, I received three separate emails in the span of two hours, each announcing in somber print that yet another American soldier had taken his own life. At the time, I was serving as Commanding General of the 104th Training Division, stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Overwhelmed after receiving the third email, I laid my head on my desk and wept.

That was the genesis of VetREST, a nonprofit organization I launched with the help of my wife, Kathleen, and several other ordinary Americans committed to making a great difference. Our mission is to provide coaches who will help our nation’s veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) discover the cause of their PTS in order to facilitate healing in a supportive environment.

About a year after receiving those three email suicide notifications, several of us on the VetREST team drove to Idaho to look for property for our retreat center. The first property we looked at belonged to a 70-plus year old owner in remote Benewah County, Idaho. When we explained the purpose of our visit, he softly professed that he, too, had PTS from his time as a Fire Chief in Las Vegas. “I cannot undo the tape [of a deadly hotel fire] that runs in my head every night,” he told us.

Days later, we looked at a home and acreage that overlooked beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene. I explained to the realtor what VetREST is all about and she began to cry. She shared with us that on Halloween night of the previous year, her brother, a Veteran, had put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger, leaving behind a wife, a baby and an extended family overcome with unspeakable grief. At that moment, standing with the realtor looking out over the lake, and also thinking back to that former fire chief from a few days earlier, we realized how important it is to identify and embrace the 5% to 7% of Americans who suffer from PTS.Statistics reported by the Veterans Administration show that in 2014 an average of 20 Veterans per day took their own lives. We ought to take a deep breath and ask ourselves, “why?” In many cases, the answer to that question is startlingly simple: Fear, moral injury (shame or guilt), trauma caused in the field (IEDs, battle wounds, etc.), or even early childhood abuse, may be the underlying cause of a Veteran’s PTS.

Next, we ought to examine, “what can be done to reverse this unacceptable trend?” Our focus at VetREST is on the clear linkage between those suffering from PTS and suicides. If we can help Veterans suffering from PTS, we believe we can reduce the Veteran suicide rate. While there are 45,000+ nonprofits committed to helping Veterans, only a handful are – like us – committed to coming alongside our suffering soldiers, earning their trust and forming long-term friendships to help work through their PTS.

Healing from PTS is not normally a neat, quick process. Each Veteran’s PTS will vary in severity and complexity. For example, we know that a Veteran who suffered trauma or abuse as a child is typically less resilient than a Veteran with a safe upbringing. However, don’t believe it when someone says a person cannot be cured of PTS. Much can be done to reverse this problem. We owe it to our Veterans to stay committed to helping them find peace from their hidden battles.

To that end, VetREST is seeking to found chapters nationwide that are populated with coaches who are able, after gaining the trust of Veterans, to find the why behind their PTS. Coaches then help the Veterans put in place a four-fold path towards recovery: spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental. PTS does not have to be a hopeless condition. As you observe Veterans’ Day this year, make sure you call your family or friends who have served. And please consider participating in the Department of Defense’s BeThere Suicide Prevention campaign, or giving to an organization like ours, VetRest, dedicated to helping Veterans on your behalf. Thank you for considering this message of hope, healing and health for our Veterans in need.------------------------------------Send your questions via email to LeaderTime@PeterDeMarco.com, or use the submissions form at www.PeterDeMarco.com/LeaderTime. Follow Peter on Twitter at @Peter_DeMarco or subscribe to the Leader Time newsletter. Submissions may be edited for clarity, length and confidentiality.

I took a group of individuals who are each a part of VetREST to look at property in southwest Colorado. The effect of that place was mesmerizing to the point that when we left we felt like a family. Looking at the Sangre de Cristo mountains from inside the lodge, I'm pretty sure I saw tears in Phil's eyes. He and the rest of the team collectively were moved by the majestic scenery, the solitude, and the reality that this was a place where veterans could come and heal from their post traumatic stress (PTS) in a sanctuary. With one voice, the team said, we have to go "all in" and buy this place.

We are so grateful to all of you who have given financially to help us secure our 91 acre retreat with its cozy home. You have helped us raise over $100,000. Yes, there are closing costs, furniture we will need to purchase, a van to transport veterans, and other odds and ends that come with buying a place. But, the reality is, you have helped us reach a level that seemed pretty daunting when we started.

Lift off is not easy. The challenge of starting a new organization is ridiculously hard. As I reflect back on the past several years several points come to mind. First, a clear vision and what we call in the military commander's intent, is essential. Second, we have to effectively communicate our intent to gain understanding and "buy-in" from those who potentially could join and help us. Third, we have to have a viable sustainment plan. Without individuals and corporations willing to sponsor us, VetREST does not have a chance of succeeding. Finally, we HAVE to make a difference in the lives of our vets suffering from PTS by providing them qualified coaches. This is the So What! This is what we owe you who have put your faith, time, energy, heart, and money to help us lift off! Thanks for caring!